It's the most `Nutcracker' time of the year

As Colorado Ballet enters its 52nd year, it again includes a number of area children in the cast of “The Nutcracker” as mice, party children, polichinelles, soldiers, angels and sugarplum attendees.

The music and story become part of another group of families' histories in this performance, as well those of as Littleton's Dance Academy, Ballet Ariel, Ballet Nouveau and other companies. When these young ladies hear that music in future years, they'll probably want to dance.

• Littleton Dance Academy will feature a cast of more than 120 children, pre-professional dancers and guest artists in a production that runs at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at Colorado Heights University Theater, 3001 S. Federal Blvd., Denver. (School director Allison Jaramillo once danced as Clara in David Taylor Dance Theatre productions.) Tickets: $16 to $23. Littletondanceacademy.org. 303-794-6694.

• Dawson|Wallace Dance Project, which took over the David Taylor Dance Theater, presents the charming Taylor version of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 15-23 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, where it has been selling out for a number of years. Performances: 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays. Special reception before the 8 p.m. Dec. 21 show at $50. Tickets: $38/$28, 303-987-7845, Lakewood.org/CulturalCenter.

• “The Nutcracker of Parker” is presented by the Colorado School of Dance at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker, from Dec. 13 to 16. Tickets: PACECenteronline.org, 303-805-6800.

• Ballet Ariel, a Denver company that has at times performed in Highlands Ranch, will present its “Nutcracker” at the historic Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, 119 Park Ave., Denver. Performances: 3 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16 and 8 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets: $20/$16. There will be Sugarplum Teas on Sundays Dec. 9 and 16, following the performances, for $15 per child (adults free with a child.) 303-945-4388, balletariel.org.